For many in Central Oregon, living in a mobile home park is their only option financially. The soaring prices of existing homes, new construction or even available land have made the dream of "home ownership" impossible. The closest they may come will be to purchase a manufactured home and place it on leased land in a mobile home park. So, what happens when the park their home is in decides to sellout for development?
The answer may surprise you. Many of the parks that have been sold have literally forced their tenants to the streets. With no money or new park to move the home to, residents (some of them to be considerable in age) have been forced to sign title of their home to the park and find somewhere to go. Even more appalling is that they receive no COMPENSATION from the park owners. In many cases, they are receiving a bill for the teardown of their home.
When I found out this was happening, I was extremely angered. Essentially turning our back on local citizens, many of whom helped make Bend what it is today seemed beyond WRONG. It happened though and many of those parks that once held residents are being bulldozed as we speak.
Who is responsible for this? The landowner, the developer, the city or county? My understanding is that there is new legislation to prevent this from happening in the future. Unfortunately, hundreds of families have been displaced in the meantime. The damage has already been done.
I would like to hear the thoughts of other realtors on this topic, and if anything like this has happened in your area?
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